How to Wash Cashmere: The Complete Care Guide

If you only remember one thing from this guide, make it this. Hand wash cashmere in cool water, around 30 degrees or below, using a detergent made for wool and cashmere. If you prefer the machine, use the wool or hand wash cycle with the jumper inside a mesh laundry bag. Never tumble dry it, never wring it, and always dry it flat, away from direct heat and sunlight. Do that, and a good cashmere jumper will stay soft and keep its shape for years.

Below is the full routine, step by step, along with the questions we are asked most often, from bobbling to moths to how often you really need to wash it. Everything here applies equally to the wool and cashmere blend pieces in our cashmere blend jumpers collection, and although we talk about jumpers throughout, the same routine works for cashmere scarves, hats and other accessories too.

Why cashmere needs gentle care

Cashmere comes from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats, and the fibres are significantly finer than standard sheep's wool. That fineness is exactly what makes cashmere feel so light and warm, but it also makes the fibres more delicate. Heat, agitation and harsh detergent are the three things that damage them. Hot water and tumble drying cause the fibres to tighten and felt, which is why a shrunken jumper cannot be rescued. Vigorous rubbing roughens the surface. And biological detergents contain enzymes designed to break down protein, which is a problem because cashmere, like all animal fibres, is protein. Treat it gently, with the right products, and the fibres relax, settle and genuinely improve with washing. If you want the full background on the fibre itself, our guide to what cashmere is covers where it comes from and how it is made.

How to hand wash cashmere step by step

1. Fill a clean basin or sink with cool water, no warmer than 30 degrees, and add a small amount of wool and cashmere detergent.
2. Turn the jumper inside out and submerge it fully. Gently squeeze the soapy water through the knit. Do not rub, scrub or stretch it.
3. Leave it to soak for around five minutes. There is no benefit to soaking for longer.
4. Drain and rinse in fresh cool water until the water runs clear, again squeezing gently rather than agitating.
5. Press the water out by squeezing the jumper against the side of the basin. Never wring or twist it, as this pulls the knit out of shape.
6. Lay the jumper on a dry towel, roll the towel up to blot out the excess water, then unroll it and move on to drying.

Can you machine wash cashmere?

Yes, carefully. Modern machines with a dedicated wool or hand wash cycle are gentle enough for cashmere and cashmere blends, provided you follow a few rules. Wash at 30 degrees or cooler, place the jumper inside a mesh laundry bag to protect it from friction, use a wool detergent rather than a standard one, and keep the spin speed low, ideally 600 or below. Wash it on its own or with similar knitwear, never with jeans, zips or anything abrasive. If your machine does not have a wool cycle, hand washing is the safer option. And skip fabric softener entirely. It coats the fibres and flattens the natural loft that makes cashmere feel the way it does.

How to dry cashmere

Never tumble dry cashmere, even on a cool setting. The combination of heat and tumbling is the fastest way to shrink and felt it. Instead, lay the jumper flat on a dry towel or a mesh drying rack, gently reshape it so the body, sleeves and hem sit as they should, and leave it to dry naturally away from radiators and direct sunlight. Avoid hanging it while wet, as the weight of the water stretches the shoulders and body. Expect it to take around 24 hours. Once dry, if it needs smoothing, a light steam is better than an iron. If you do iron, use the coolest setting with a pressing cloth between the iron and the knit.

Does cashmere bobble?

Yes, and it is completely normal. All cashmere bobbles, or pills, in the early weeks of wear, particularly under the arms and along the sides where there is friction. It is not a sign of poor quality. It is simply the shorter fibres working their way to the surface of the knit. Remove bobbles gently with a cashmere comb, working in one direction with the jumper laid flat, and resist the urge to pick them off by hand. Bobbling reduces noticeably after the first few washes, as washing helps the fibres settle and bind. Most jumpers bobble less and less as they age, which is one of the reasons a well cared for cashmere piece improves over time.

Storage and moths

Always fold cashmere rather than hanging it, as hangers stretch the shoulders and distort the shape of the knit. For day to day, a folded pile on a shelf or in a drawer is perfect. At the end of the season, wash the jumper before you put it away, because moths are drawn to the traces of skin oils, perfume and food that build up with wear, not to the fibre itself. Store it clean in a breathable cotton bag rather than plastic, and add cedar or lavender as a natural deterrent. Check on stored knitwear once in a while through the summer. Ten seconds of attention now is far better than discovering moth damage in October.

How often should you wash cashmere?

Far less often than you might think. Every three or four wears is plenty for most people, and many cashmere owners stretch it further. Between wears, let the jumper air overnight before folding it away, which refreshes the fibres naturally. Spot clean small marks rather than washing the whole garment. Washing does not harm cashmere when you do it correctly, but it is unnecessary work, and the airing habit keeps knitwear fresher than most people expect. The one exception is before long term storage, when a wash is essential.

A note on cashmere blends

A wool and cashmere blend is cared for in exactly the same way as pure cashmere. Cool wash, wool detergent, no tumble dryer, dry flat. The only practical difference is that a blend is slightly more resilient day to day. Our knitwear is a 90 percent wool, 10 percent cashmere blend, with the wool certified to the Responsible Wool Standard, and the wool content gives the knit a little more natural bounce, so it holds its shape well and stands up to regular wear. It still deserves the gentle treatment above, but it is a touch more forgiving of real life. You can see the full range in our cashmere blend jumpers collection, and once yours is washed and combed, our guide to styling a cashmere blend jumper has outfit ideas for every shape.

Cashmere care questions, answered

Does cashmere shrink?

Yes. Cashmere shrinks when it is washed in hot water or tumble dried, and once the fibres have felted the damage cannot be reversed. Washing at 30 degrees or below and drying flat prevents shrinking.

Can you machine wash cashmere?

Yes, on a wool or hand wash cycle at 30 degrees or below, inside a mesh laundry bag, with a wool detergent and a low spin speed. Hand washing remains the gentlest option.

Does cashmere bobble?

Yes, all cashmere bobbles at first, especially in areas of friction. It is normal rather than a fault, and it reduces after the first few washes. Remove bobbles gently with a cashmere comb.

Is cashmere itchy?

No, good quality cashmere should not feel itchy. The fibres are much finer than standard wool, which is why cashmere feels soft against the skin. A fine wool and cashmere blend should feel just as comfortable.

How often should you wash cashmere?

Every three or four wears is enough for most people. Air the jumper between wears and spot clean small marks. Always wash it before storing it away for the season.

Can you tumble dry cashmere?

No, never tumble dry cashmere. The heat and agitation shrink and felt the fibres. Dry it flat on a towel, reshaped, away from direct heat and sunlight.